Hydrophobicity of Lipid-Conjugated siRNAs Predicts Productive Loading to Small Extracellular Vesicles
Biscans, Annabelle ; Haraszti, Reka A ; Echeverria, Dimas ; Miller, Rachael ; Didiot, Marie C. ; Nikan, Mehran ; Roux, Loic ; Aronin, Neil ; Khvorova, Anastasia
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Abstract
Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) show promise as natural nano-devices for delivery of therapeutic RNA, but efficient loading of therapeutic RNA remains a challenge. We have recently shown that the attachment of cholesterol to small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) enables efficient and productive loading into sEVs. Here, we systematically explore the ability of lipid conjugates-fatty acids, sterols, and vitamins-to load siRNAs into sEVs and support gene silencing in primary neurons. Hydrophobicity of the conjugated siRNAs defined loading efficiency and the silencing activity of siRNA-sEVs complexes. Vitamin-E-conjugated siRNA supported the best loading into sEVs and productive RNA delivery to neurons.
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Mol Ther. 2018 Jun 6;26(6):1520-1528. doi: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2018.03.019. Epub 2018 Apr 4. Link to article on publisher's site